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Planning panel approves T-Mobile antennas at 725 Taraval to boost 3G coverage
Summary
The Planning Commission granted conditional use approval for a T-Mobile wireless installation at 725 Taraval, citing expected improvements to in-building and street-level coverage and added 3G capacity; the decision passed 5-1 with one commissioner dissenting over data presentation.
The Planning Commission on Feb. 25 approved a T-Mobile application to install eight panel antennas and equipment cabinets on the elevator penthouses of a four-story building at 725 Taraval Ave. The carrier—s representatives said antennas would be painted and textured to blend with the building and would include screening to hide mounting hardware.
Project counsel Rick Hirsh said the installation would expand coverage through the Parkside neighborhood, enable 3G services such as faster data and multimedia for smartphones, and improve communications for first responders during emergencies. "This project will greatly benefit T-Mobile's network coverage in the neighborhood and would extend and enhance T-Mobile coverage around the Parkside neighborhood," he said.
Staff noted the site is a preferred location under the city—s wireless-siting guidelines and that an alternatives analysis was included in the file. There were no public speakers on the matter. Commissioner Segayeth (recorded as voting "no") expressed concern that several of the coverage maps in the packet looked identical and asked staff to confirm data presentation; staff and the applicant explained methodological differences between surveyed "existing coverage" drive-test maps and modeled "with-proposed-site" predictions.
The motion to approve the conditional use passed with a 5-1 vote; record shows Commissioners Antonini, Lee, Moore, Olague and Miguel voting yes and Commissioner Segayeth voting no.
